Knitting

Free Patterns, Tutorials and Project Ideas

Book Review – Easy How-to Techniques for Simply Stylish 18″ Dolls

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Learn how to make 18″ doll clothes using 7 quick-knit patterns found in Easy How-To Techniques for Simply Stylish 18″ Dolls by Andra Knight-Bowman.

Make adorable 18″ doll clothes using this step-by-step guide. Each knitting lesson builds upon the last, so they can stand alone or be used as part of a series of skill-building knitting projects. As soon as you learn a new knitting technique, you can immediately put it to use. Whether you’re just learning how to knit or you’re an expert, these fun patterns for doll clothing will inspire you to pick up those needles and get to work! 48 all-color pages.  You can purchase this book here.

You’ll learn how to:

  • Work with cables
  • Knit in the round on double-point needles
  • Work a jogless join for perfect stripes every time
  • Use the 3-Needle Bind-Off to create neat and solid seams.
  • Add embroidery accents, pompoms and I-cords.

Next Pattern:

Have you read?

Eyelet and Mesh Sweaters to Keep Cool in Summer

Adding eyelets to a project is a great way to make it more wearable in the summer, and these mesh and eyelet sweater patterns are perfect for summer (and beyond!) for layering. 

The Inez Summer Sweater from Happy Love Co combines eyelets and dropped stitches (along with some garter and stockinette) to make a casual and fun summer sweater. The pattern is one size (56 inches or 142.24 cm) around, and is meant to be worn oversized. But it’s an easy enough pattern you could alter it to suit you without too much difficulty. It calls for worsted weight cotton yarn. 

Another fun project using dropped stitches in the Stella Blouse from Thelma Steimann. It calls for a fingering weight silk yarn and is worked on larger than expected needles and also uses dropped stitches. The pattern includes eight sizes, with a bust circumference ranging from 33.5 to 51.5 inches, or  85-131 cm. You can grab a copy on Ravelry.

The Design Studio Knits has a nice summer cotton tee that uses worsted weight yarn worked on larger needles so it has a mesh effect while still being worked in stockinette stitch. It’s worked in one piece and is another one size pattern, meant to fit an actual chest measurement ranging from 34 to 46 inches (that’s 86 to 117 cm). 

A similar look with a cropped shape and four available sizes comes from A Box of Twine. This one is a DK weight yarn knit on large needles and still has an oversized look (for instance the size small is 42 inches/106.68 cm at the bust). It’s worked flat so this is a great one for beginners. 

If you want something a little more structured, try the Pip Cardigan from Yoko Johnston. This sport weight cardigan has an allover eyelet pattern and options to close with a zipper or buttons. It’s worked from the top down and has six size options. This one is also oversized, with finished measurements ranging from 51.5 to 64.5 inches, or 131 to 164 cm). You can find this one on Ravelry. 

Or check out Endlessly by Amy Gunderson, a free pattern from Knitty. This pullover uses a cable and lace pattern that is easy to knit and to wear. It uses DK weight yarn and has nine size options. The chest measurement ranges from 34.75 to 66.75 inches, or 88.5 to 169.5 cm, and is meant to be worn with a little positive ease.